Apple Pay launched in Uzbekistan across eight banks, and the Click payment system enabled it for partners without requiring separate integration. The loan portfolio of Kazakhstan’s second-tier banks grew by 13.1% over the year, reaching 46.3 trillion tenge. The National Bank of Kyrgyzstan kept its policy rate (the equivalent of Kazakhstan’s base rate) at 12.00%.
The Big Stories
Apple Pay launches in eight Uzbekistan banks
On October 27, Apple Pay launched in Uzbekistan in test mode. According to Spot, the service initially supports Visa and Mastercard cards from eight banks: Uzum, Orient Finans Bank, NBU, Kapitalbank, Hamkorbank, Ipak Yuli Bank, TBC Bank, and Octobank. Humo and Uzcard cards cannot be added to Apple Wallet yet, though Uzcard promises to connect its cards soon. Kapitalbank, among the first to support the service, stated that clients can add their card via the KAPITALBANK.online app and pay with an iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch. Every transaction is authenticated via Face ID, Touch ID, Optic ID, or a passcode, and the card number is not shared during payment. The National Bank of Uzbekistan enabled Apple Pay support for its Visa and Mastercard cards through the Milliy app. The Click payment system allowed partners to accept Apple Pay without additional technical integration. Businesses with an active Click integration can enable Apple Pay on their payment page, and Click accepts connection requests at business.click.uz.
Kazakhstan’s bank loan portfolio reaches 46.3 trillion tenge
As of September 1, 2026, the loan portfolio of Kazakhstan’s second-tier banks totaled 46.3 trillion tenge, up 13.1% year-on-year, according to a report. Growth slowed compared to the previous three years, when the portfolio expanded by more than 20% annually. The 10 largest banks account for over 92% of the total portfolio. Home Credit Bank saw the strongest growth among them, rising 26.6% over the year to 1.2 trillion tenge. Bank RBK added 25%, Bereke Bank grew 24.3%, and Otbasy Bank increased by 24.2%. Other major banks showed growth between 7% and 16%, while two financial institutions posted negative dynamics. Over the past five years, the second-tier bank loan portfolio has grown more than 2.5 times, with an average annual growth rate of 21.6%.
National Bank of Kyrgyzstan holds policy rate at 12%
The Board of the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic decided on October 26, 2026, to keep the policy rate at 12.00%, the regulator announced. The decision took effect on October 27. In October 2026, annual inflation stood at 10.8%, down from 12.2% in September. Cumulative inflation since the start of the year was 8.5%, against the National Bank’s medium-term target range of 5–7%. According to inbusiness.kz, external factors driven by changing price conditions continue to impact inflation. The next board meeting on the policy rate is scheduled for November 30, 2026.
ITS launches weekend trading on October 31
The ITS international trading platform is launching weekend securities trading in Kazakhstan for the first time. Trading will run on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 24:00 Astana time, a report states. In the first phase, investors have access to 68 instruments: 50 selected stocks, ITS ETFs, and single stock ETFs. Trades can be executed in the main mode, negotiated trade mode, and repo operations through ITS member brokers. On weekdays, the platform already operates nearly 19 hours a day, from 9:00 to 3:45 the next day. The weekend instrument list will expand based on participant demand.
KASE expands Islamic screening to 32 foreign stocks
KASE, in partnership with fintech company Ailat, added 32 foreign stocks traded on NASDAQ and the NYSE to its Islamic screening service. The list includes Apple, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Alphabet, Tesla, Meta Platforms, Coca-Cola, and Chevron, the exchange reported. KASE and Ailat launched the online screening service in September 2026. The assessment involves three stages: automated financial calculation using AI, expert review, and a conclusion by the AAOIFI Shari’ah Supervisory Board. The methodology accounts for the company’s revenue sources, the share of income from non-ethical activities, debt, and the proportion of cash and interest-bearing instruments in assets. According to KASE, the results help both investors following Islamic principles and those looking to study an issuer’s business model and financial structure.
By Country
🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan
- Mobile banking. Dos Credobank’s Simbank added Apple Pay support for in-app and in-store payments. It also supports Google Pay and Garmin Pay. The bank offers a VISA credit card with free issuance and maintenance, a limit of up to 200,000 soms, deposits up to 14% annually, cashback up to 20%, and installment plans for 2–24 months. The app is available for iPhone.
- Oversight and fines. The National Bank revoked the licenses of 12 exchange bureaus in Bishkek for violating legislation. Separately, it suspended the licenses of Osh-based bureaus Mir-El Capital and Forex Plus from October 27 to November 10. The regulator also fined a payment organization 55,000 soms, a citizen in Batken 17,500 soms for unlicensed currency exchange, a credit union in Naryn 55,000 soms, and six commercial banks a total of 370,000 soms for consumer lending and usury violations. Four banks were fined 65,000 soms each, and two were fined 55,000 soms each.
- Currency. On October 27, 2026, the National Bank issued new 20- and 50-som banknotes of the 2026 series. These are the first produced domestically by the Central Asian Security Printing House. The design maintains continuity with the current fifth series. Security features include a watermark, security thread, see-through register, raised printing, latent image, iridescent stripe, and microtext. All national currency banknotes remain official legal tender regardless of their issue year.
- Fraud. The National Bank warned of scammers posing as financial consultants. They use fake certificates allegedly from the regulator and copies of official websites, promise loans at 1% annually, and apply pressure with phrases like “act right now.” The regulator reminded the public that it does not issue loans to citizens or consult via messengers, advising against sharing passport details and card information.
- Personnel. On October 29, the National Bank approved Kanybek uulu Bayastan as managing director and board member of ABank. The bank itself submitted the candidacy.
🇰🇿 Kazakhstan
- Regulation. The Kurultai passed a law in two readings ratifying a protocol for the mutual recognition of bank guarantees in EAEU public procurement. According to kapital.kz, the protocol contains 30 amendments covering the internal market, public procurement, technical regulation, trade in services, competition, electricity, and transport. The guarantee provision, initiated by Kazakhstan, will allow Kazakh entrepreneurs to participate in procurement in other EAEU countries using guarantees from Kazakh banks.
- Technology and AI. Startup Solomon, led by Sultonsho Nazarshoev, is developing an AI platform to automate compliance, fraud monitoring, and financial transaction investigations in banks, with the option to deploy on the client’s infrastructure. The startup is participating in the Central Eurasia Market Entry 2026 accelerator.
- Mortgages. Otbasy Bank announced it will resume accepting applications for the Umai women’s mortgage through expanded channels. In addition to online submission via Video Service, Baspana Market, and branches, applications can be submitted through consultants listed on the bank’s website. An exact launch date was not specified.
- Payments. ForteBank enabled digital tenge operations in its ForteBusiness internet banking, according to inbusiness.kz. Users can open an account, view balances and statements, convert funds, and make VAT payments via electronic invoices and e-Contracts. The service targets participants in the Digital VAT pilot, public procurement, and recipients of targeted funding and preferential state programs. Pilot participants can receive accelerated VAT refunds within 15 working days.
- Government statements. According to astanatimes.com, President Tokayev, in his October 28 address, urged banks to direct accumulated resources into economic development through long-term investment lending and to increase lending to the real sector.
🇺🇿 Uzbekistan
- Card products. ANORBANK became the first bank to issue the ready-to-use UZCARD KIDS Moment children's card. It can be issued in minutes and linked to a parent’s account in the bank’s app. The card is already available at the bank’s promo stand in the Tashkent Zoo on weekends. Issuance is free, and balance top-ups up to 3 million soums are commission-free.
- Security. According to Ipak Yuli Bank, scammers are distributing a malicious app disguised as a “new Uzbek keyboard.” They send installation links via direct messages on social networks and messengers. Once installed, the app can access plastic card data.
- Transfers. The National Bank of Uzbekistan launched the UnionPay MoneyExpress service for P2P transfers to UnionPay cards issued abroad. It covers 84 countries and regions, including China, the US, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, CIS countries, the Middle East, and the EEA. The commission is 1% of the amount, with a minimum of $2.
🇦🇿 Azerbaijan
- Loans. PASHA Bank launched POS Loan, an unsecured loan for individual entrepreneurs and legal entities using the bank’s POS terminals, ranging from 5,000 to 250,000 manats. The first 15 days are interest-free, followed by an effective annual rate of 19.06%. To qualify, businesses must use the bank’s POS services for at least six months, be registered for over a year, and have at least 30 transactions through the bank’s terminals in each of the previous six months.
🇹🇯 Tajikistan
- Financing. Tajikistan and the EBRD signed agreements worth €62.45 million for two projects. The Kulob water supply and sanitation project (€9.6 million) covers the construction and rehabilitation of reservoirs and drinking water quality improvements. The Baljuvon–Sari Khosor road rehabilitation project (€52.85 million) involves reconstructing 54.1 km of road, 10 bridges, and 121 culverts. Finance Minister Fayziddin Qahhorzoda and EBRD Vice President Matteo Patrone signed the agreements on October 27.
Regulators of the Week
The Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan adopted Resolution No. 732 “On certain issues in the securities market” on October 29. In Uzbekistan, a crypto shop license was issued on October 26, according to napp.uz. The central banks of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Azerbaijan are exploring the integration of national QR payment systems, the National Bank of Kazakhstan reported on October 29. Kazakhstan’s National Anti-Fraud Center launched an information website for citizens on October 27. The AIFC announced on October 28 the strengthening of financial cooperation between Kazakhstan and Georgia, ranging from mutual capital market access to cross-border investments.
On the Radar
- November 30, 2026 — The next board meeting of the National Bank of Kyrgyzstan on the policy rate.
- UZCARD KIDS Moment from ANORBANK is expected to become available in all bank branches, including regional ones. An exact date has not been announced.
- ITS plans to extend trading sessions to 21 hours a day, seven days a week.
